Intel’s answer to AMD: $7 billion for fabs

Just hours before Advanced Micro Devices Inc. shareholders were set to spin off the company’s manufacturing into a joint venture with Abu Dhabi, Intel Corp. announced plans to spend $7 billion for manufacturing sites in Oregon, Arizona and New Mexico.

AMD’s spinoff would set in motion plans to build a $4.6 billion computer chip factory in Saratoga County.

Today’s announcement appears to be a shot across the bow by Intel, which is the world’s largest computer chip maker. AMD is No. 2.

Intel already has manufacturing plants in those three states, where it wants to expand.